Chapter XIX
_Consumed by Hatred_
Zulona sighed lightly before crossing her arms, "Why am I in this group…?"
"Why, you don't like us or something?" Shadow questioned raising his brow.
"It's not-…yeah, you kinda got it. It's just silence and boredom are well…boring!" she frowned.
"Why not entertain yourself by playing the quiet game?" Gabriel questioned as he walked besides her. Her eyes widened slightly and her mouth gapped. Gabriel blinked, "Are you alright?" no reply.
Shadow stopped and raised his brows, "I think you broke her…" he whispered to the masked judge.
"Is that a bad thing…?" Gabriel questioned obliviously.
Shadow gazed over at him with an indefinable leer, "Yes…"
"My bad then." Gabriel muttered looking to his side.
"Zulona…are you okay?" Shadow questioned crossing his arms.
"Yeah, why?" she smiled snapping out of her trance. Shadow and Gabriel grew baffled at the girl's action and glanced at each other before back at the blue haired girl.
"She was probably hit multiple times on the head when she was younger…" Gabriel muttered covering his mouth with his metallic claws that substituted his left hand.
"That's mean." Zulona frowned.
Memories consume…
Like opening the wound.
I'm picking me apart again.
"Shadow…where is he?" the possessor of Nagasaki asked as his grip tightened around Light's neck.
"Why should I tell you…?" Light growled as he tried to catch his breath.
"If you don't, your friends will die sooner." He smirked.
"You don't need them…you don't need to kill them…" Light choked out.
"Oh but I do. It's my duty to her majesty to do so." Nagasaki smirked.
"Her majesty? Nagasaki! What are you saying?" Arthur growled as Chris pinned him with his blade.
"Her majesty knows be-" Nagasaki flinched and held his head, closing his eyes and dropping his grip on Light.
"Ģanger?" Chris queried looking back at the other male.
"Döpple…I need your help…" Nagasaki's dominator struggled to say.
"Right." As soon as that was said, Chris' eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell to the ground, unmoving.
"What the…?" Arthur questioned blinking.
"Chris?" Brittany questioned again furrowing her brows in worry.
"S-stop….!" Nagasaki seethed gripping his scalp harsher. Light, Brittany, and Arthur noticed as a shadow escaped from Chris' body and went towards Nagasaki's body. A dark aura surrounded his body and Nagasaki shouted in pain.
"Stop struggling if you know what's good for you…" a voice that over shadowed him warned.
"Get out of him now!" Light shouted getting to his feet.
"Hm…we don't have time for this…let go of the body Döpple." Another voice said.
"Are you sure…?"
"We're already found out…what use is it anymore…?" Ģanger finally escaped Nagasaki's body and slashed at it as it started to fall, blood mixing with the grass as his body fell with a thud, "Now he joins the others of his team."
You all assume-
I'm safe here in my room.
Unless I try to start again.
A shout was heard that echoed through the trees and the three looked in the direction it rang out from. "What was that?" Zulona questioned grimacing.
"Who knows, but I'm certain we're to find out soon enough." Gabriel muttered in a monotone.
"Are you always such a pessimistic person?" Shadow questioned looking at Gabriel with a slight leer.
"You'd be one too if you had your heart stolen." Gabriel countered.
"Touché…" Shadow commented crossing his arms before turning back into the direction of the shout, "It's an unfamiliar voice to me though…" Shadow thought out loud.
"It's Nagasaki's voice…" Zulona said without an emotion.
"How do you know?" Shadow questioned looking over at her with amazed optics.
"Know what?" Zulona questioned looking back at Shadow with a confused gaze.
"Never mind that-let's go see what happened to Nagasaki." Shadow said before turning towards the direction that the scream was heard from.
"Alright." Zulona said with a wide smile.
"If it's the queen, we have no chance…" Gabriel whispered to himself.
"Do me a favor and keep your thoughts amongst yourself." Shadow sighed.
I don't want to be the one-
The battles always choose.
'Cause inside I realize.
That I'm the one confused.
Brittany picked up Chris' body and Arthur disconnected himself from the blade and glared over as two shadows dropped Nagasaki's body. Light pulled out his own blade from its sheath and glared at the two shadows.
"Pity, he had a promising body too…" the darker based clone said.
"Well, we might as well end these three with the powers we gained…should we not?" the other smirked.
Ģanger sighed, "Very well, Döpple…have it your way…" he said as he crossed his arms. Döpple smirked and black mist formed around his hands. Light glared at the male and tightened the grip he held on his sword.
"Look out!" Brittany shouted, Light glanced over at her before glancing back towards the twins only to see a brief flash of light and a sword about to pierce through his skull. He dodged just inches before it hit him and jumped back.
"How I hate killjoys…" Döpple mused looking at Brittany out of the corner of his eye.
"I'll have it handled then…" Ģanger hummed walking towards Brittany and Arthur. Ģanger held out his hand and in it, pieces of metal began to reform into a chainsaw like type weapon, "Who's first?" he questioned with a dark smirk. Arthur pulled out his sword and glared at him, "I assume you're up then?"
I don't know what's worth fighting for-
Or why I have to scream.
I don't know why I instigate,
And say what I don't mean…
"And how was I supposed to know this, darling brother?" the black haired boy asked with a smirk.
"You were the one that said it would happen…" the blonde growled crossing his arms.
"…I suppose you're right then…" the elder brother said rolling his aqua colored eyes.
"…can't believe I'm saying this…" Chris muttered to himself, "But, Chuck, we need you on this."
"Thought you'd never ask, Dear Chris." Chuck said with a wide smirk.
"So what do you say?" Chris questioned crossing his arms.
"Fine. I already have some others in mind. I suppose I could help out this group of rebellion." Chuck sighed closing his eyes.
"Who did you have in mind?" Chris questioned blinking.
"Eh, you'll soon see."
I don't know how I got this way,
I know it's not all right.
So I'm breaking the habit,
I'm breaking the habit…
Tonight.
"Heads up!" Arthur looked up and his eyes widened before he jumped back, just in time to dodge a boy that landed roughly on his feet, "Whoa, Haha, rough landing!" he laughed at himself.
"How many times have I told you, Coby, to watch where you jump? You might kill yourself one of these days." Another said as he walked through from behind Brittany.
"Right. Sorry Cody." Coby said with a close-eyed smile. Coby had light brown hair and deep green eyes and Cody had darker brown hair and deep blue eyes.
"And you are…?" Ģanger questioned with a frown.
"…how'd you know anyone was in front of you?" Coby questioned noting the blindfold with slightly widened eyes.
"Call it a hunch. Now you, who are you?" the dark twin asked again getting impatient.
"Doesn't really matter, your time is limited now." Cody said crossing his arms.
"That's probably what you th-" he flinched and he trembled lightly, "Wha-what is this?"
"I wouldn't move if I were you…you may…" the voice chuckled, "lose your head."
"Here comes the spoilsport…" Coby commented with a small smile.
Clutching my cure.
I tightly lock the door.
I try to catch my breath again.
Aqua eyes turned to see the blonde that lay in Brittany's arms, "…not even a month…" Chuck said closing his eyes and turning towards the paralyzed male, "Tell me, did you kill him?"
"What if I di-" before Ģanger could finish his sentence, Chuck disappeared suddenly and came up behind him before piercing the clones skull with his hand, going all the way through, wrapping his hand around the already dead male's neck, twisting, and instantly decapitating him. He shrugged the boy's head off of his hand and kicked down his body that still stood after the quick death.
"Then that happens…" Chuck said with an unemotional gaze.
"Y-you…" Döpple started looking back towards his fallen brother.
"Half your power relies in your brother…does it not?" Chuck questioned glancing back at the other with an indefinable look, "Tell me, why did you kill my brother?"
Döpple blinked, "Your bro-" he eyes widened when Chuck had a firm grasp on his arm, staining Döpple with his own brother's blood.
"Don't be stupid. The blonde over there." He said motioning towards Chris and Brittany.
"It was our jo-" Chuck suddenly twisted Döpple's arm out of its socket and stabbed his chest with his own bone. Döpple screamed in pain and cringed harshly before falling to his knees.
Chuck's eyes slightly tightened, "That's not the answer I'm looking for."
"Then what am I supposed to te-!" Chuck pushed his bone more into the center of his chest again the boy let out a shout, "The queen wants to get rid of you all! She sent Ģanger and me to assassinate you all! It was only a job! I promise…!" Döpple cringed as Chuck was gradually twisting his arm, literally.
"I have all day like this, and so do you. You won't die by this unless your joint reaches your heart or cuts into your lung. Both of which won't happen unless you tell me what I want to know." Chuck calmly spoke with a small glare rising in the back of his optics.
I hurt much more-
Than anything before
I had no options left again.
Shadow saw as the black haired male held a red haired boy by his broken limb. The young colonel's eyes slightly widened and the two besides him stared in shock.
"I think I'm gonna puke." Zulona said through already watering eyes. Gabriel glanced at her and then stepped to the other side, away from her. Shadow turned back to both of them and leered at the two.
"Tell me…" the spiked black haired boy growled at the one he held hostage.
"I told you all that I know!" the red head cringed.
"You didn't. I want to know what your phrase is." The other replied with a glare. The golden eyes of the other widened.
"H-how did you know about that?" he asked with terror concealed optics.
"Patience is not one of my attributes…"
"It's…break-" blood shot out and the black haired male's eyes faltered as the blood hit against his chainmail. Döpple's body fell to his back and the bullet hole through his head made Chuck fidget in anger. He dropped the dead male's arm and glanced over in the direction the attack came from, as did mostly everyone else, and they saw a familiar smirk.
"Well, well, fancy meeting you all again." Fury smirked.
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused.
"Black sound…?" Dawn questioned.
"Yes…it's…a specific trace that one could sense after they've been in close perimeters to a time reaper…" DayBreak replied with furrowed brows.
"Time reaper…? Sounds…interesting." Dawn said with a small smirk playing onto his lips.
"That's because they are." DayBreak said with a smirk of his own, "Supposedly, the moment that their eyes catch a glance of you, your "Life Timer" begins its countdown starting from ten. You can see the seconds of your life slowly descend to zero before your eyes."
"No kidding?" Dawn blinked, losing his smirk and perking with interest.
"Might serve useful though…don't you think?"
"More than definite. These creatures could prove useful…if you were to ever manage to "Recruit" one…" Dawn said with a small frown.
"I will. But I need to come with a sacrifice…" DayBreak smirked.
Dawn raised a brow, "I have a great role in this war. You can't think of sacrificing me…"
"Did I say it was you? No…you don't have that certain…serene personality that they hunger for…" the commander smirked, closing his eyes.
"'Serene'…? Who is this cool headed person that you're thinking of…?" Dawn questioned, but he had already gained an idea.
"I sent him to Gabriel, hoping that the judge of cards would kill him, but…apparently he succeeded in recruiting him…my son proves to be…a nuisance…he will die…sooner than later."
"…sir, if you don't mind me asking…why…do you hate him?" Dawn questioned with a non-emotional gaze.
"I…don't hate him…I never did…but…he's part of the reason for why my wife died...and why my brother died as well…"
"…he's not your real son…is he…?"
"…no…"
I don't know what's worth fighting for-
Or why I have to scream.
I don't know why I instigate-
And say what I don't mean.
Blue optics opened slightly to view a worried girl above him, 'Brittany…?' he thought with a slight cringe. She looked down and finally met his gaze, "Chris?" she had a smile that was only visible behind her eyes. His eyes looked past her and his optics caught glance of an assassin looming over her, gazing back at him with his silver optics. The killer smirked and aimed his gun towards Brittany and himself.
Chris' eyes widened, "Look out!" he pulled Brittany towards him and rolled them both out of the way of the bullet. Chuck glanced over towards the blonde and brunette and his eyes slightly sparked with an indefinable feeling. He looked down back at Döpple's body and bent down and grabbed hold of his arm. Ripping the skin and tissue that held the limb still attached to the rest of the body, Chuck now held the arm in his hand. Fresh blood dripped onto his shoes and the grass below him.
He smirked, "This should do nicely." The arm began to gather in dark mist and soon after, a large, demonic blade took its place. He looked back up at Fury and his eyes dimmed with anticipation.
"Looks like you got some new members with you…" Fury said taking note of a few that were there. He looked around, "Hm…where's mister antisocial?"
"Shadow is none of your concern. You on the other hand, have lived past your limit." Light said with a glare.
"Did I now? Maybe I should talk to my brother about that…" he smirked.
"Enough talk," Chuck said getting into a stance, "Now you die." He dashed towards the assassin and Fury's eyes widened slightly in reaction before aiming his sniper towards the black haired male.
He shot…
I don't know how I got this way,
I know it's not all right.
So I'm breaking the habit,
I'm breaking the habit-
Tonight.
"A demon, Cruvatos, was said to be a devil that was able to transfer into bodies by mere touch by will, and once the host had served their use, they'd turn to ash. The fist host was a man named Syyuke, a samurai of the orchard family. He was a warrior corrupted by darkness, in search for power, that is until he stumbled across the shrine of Cruvatos. A mere touch to his once burial ground was all that Cruvatos needed to take over the proud warrior's body. After that, Cruvatos released a reign upon that era. But one day, another samurai, one that remains unnamed, challenged Cruvatos and his host. This foe held much more experience than Syyuke once held, and was slain by this mysterious champion. Right as he was about to send off the finishing blow, Cruvatos caught said warrior's arm and transferred his spirit into this unknown fighter's. Syyuke's body fell to ash and the new warrior was then the carrier of Cruvatos. Some say that this creature lives on, switching bodies as they waste away, and walking the trail of red as he slays in his wake."
"And you believe this…?"
"I do."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Because, ignorant mortal, I am Cruvatos…the ultimate being that walks this pathetic world…"
I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault.
I'll never fight again.
And this is how it ends.
A huge card blocked the bullet from hitting Chuck and the aqua eyed boy glanced to his side to see the masked judge that had saved him from the hit. Gabriel twirled his finger and the card turned into a sword that turned to face towards Fury. Silver optics widened and he jumped off the limb of the tree, just in time to avoid the blade. Fury glared over at Gabriel and dashed towards him, but the cool headed dealer didn't flinch. As Fury was mere feet away, another blade blocked his path. He looked at its wielder and his eyes tightened, "Was wondering when you'd show…Shadow…"
"Likewise." Shadow replied with a growing leer. Suddenly, a trident came from behind the bush that they emerged from and pierced through Fury's wrist. The trident turned down and struck through the ground, bringing the assassin pinned with it.
"Good shot, Zulona." Shadow commented as the blue haired nurse stepped out from behind her spot.
"Thanks." She smiled.
Fury growled and closed his eyes, "Havoc…we're done here…" as soon as he said that, his body vanished instantly and the trident lay in the spot where he was previously, resting on its side. The group gawked in astonishment and minutes passed in silence. No one spoke. Light reached to pick up Nagasaki's fallen body, but before he could even ghost over it, the boy's body detonated into petals of orchids. The group subconsciously bowed their heads, knowing too well that another was lost of their regiment.
I don't know what's worth fighting for,
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate,
And say what I don't mean.
"Did better than you'll ever do." Chuck smirked.
"And where do you see that?" Chris questioned crossing his arms.
"Well, with these two, I have four others keeping watch around this area…five if you count the rat…" Chuck said pondering slightly.
"…you hired a rat?" Chris blinked.
"Well, supposedly to him…no…but he is a fat rodent!" Chuck smiled widely.
"…" Chris was silent for a moment, "…I'm curious to see these fighters that beat me…"
"Ah, are you now? I'll show you then." Chuck whistled and it echoed throughout the forest. Then three others joined them. A boy with dark hair and deep red eyes with a ferret hanging from his shoulder, a girl with bright azure eyes and light blue hair, and another female with dark blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, "Well, here we are. Let me introduce you to the team: The blue eyed twin over there," he said pointing towards Cody, "Is, of course Cody. The one next to him is Coby. And although they look the same, name sounds alike, and they are the polar opposites, they aren't related." Chuck smiled as if he were pleased with himself, "Guy with the rat on-"
"How many times have I told you…" the others gazed with widened eyes as the rodent on the black haired male's back spoke, "I'M NOT A RAT!"
Chuck's eyes closed slightly, "Right…well, the one with the one that claims he's not a rat is Dean." The boy nodded and bowed his head slightly, "Girl to his right," Chuck continued pointing to the light blue haired girl, "Is our pretty young lady, Aina," he smiled slightly without anyone taking real notice, "The one next to her is Melody." He said motioning to the girl with blonde hair. Both girls curtseyed with a smile.
"…" Light remained silent and he turned to his brother, "It will be hard to trust these two…including their new…"group"…" he whispered, "I know you saw that kill…"
Shadow closed his eyes, "I know…" he reopened his eyes and looked over at Chris, "I couldn't help but notice that shadow either…the one that escaped Chris…" he gazed over at Döpple's body.
"Yeah…I saw that too…" Light agreed.
"So…maybe he wasn't doing it on his-" Shadow stopped when he noticed the black haired male looking back at him with a slight leer, "Let's talk later…let them into our group but have someone watch them…"
"Right." Light replied with a nod.
"Colonels…I'm sorry for being so rude, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Chuck Caige. I am Chris' older brother. I've been put on a task to help my young step sister's group." He said glancing back at Brittany.
Her eyes widened, "'Step sister'?" she repeated.
"Glad to meet you too, miss Brittany." He said before turning back to the two colonels, "So, here I am, asking you to join your group, merging my own with yours. If you'd be so…oh, what's the word…credulous?" his smirk made Light uneasy and his eyes were unreadable to Shadow.
"…I don't want to be too "credulous"…so allow us to think about it for a while…" Shadow said.
"If you don't mind…" Light added crossing his arms.
"Of course not, young colonels…" Chuck smiled before bowing his head.
I don't know how I got this way,
I know it's not all right.
So I'm breaking the habit,
I'm breaking the habit-
Tonight…
Chapter XX
-Mourn Evermore-
"He turned on us, what is there not to get?" Light questioned through bared teeth.
"I just refuse to believe that one of my best would deceive you both like that…" DayBreak said looking to his side.